‘Frozen’ Broadway Show Confirmed for Spring 2018, Holiday Special for 2017

In 2017, ABC will air a Frozen holiday special in 2017. Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell will return as Elsa and Anna, respectively, and this hopefully means we’ll be getting some new songs for them to sing in the special. But even if we don’t get any new songs for the holiday special, at least we’re getting an expanded score for the upcoming Broadway show in 2018.

Disney Theatrical Productions has confirmed that they’re still going through with the planned stage show, as Frozen will debut on Broadway in Spring 2018. Naturally, a project of this magnitude has to have a pretty impressive creative team behind it, which is why Frozen will feature music and lyrics by the Oscar-winning creators of the original film score, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who will write twelve all-new songs for the show. The book of the musical will come from the film’s screenwriter and director Jennifer Lee, with input from Frozen co-director Chris Buck. Meanwhile, two-time Tony nominee Alex Timbers will direct, and Tony-winning Matilda choreographer Peter Darling will choreograph. This, in addition to sets and costumes by seven-time Tony winner Bob Crowley, lighting by five-time Tony winner Natasha Katz and sound design by four-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski. To put it simply, Disney is bringing out the big guns for this one.

Credit: Disney

Ultimately, I think taking Frozen to Broadway was a natural progression for the film. Granted, I’m not exactly sure it needs to have a Broadway show, but this is a property on which Disney is going to be capitalizing for years, whether holiday specials and stage shows are “necessary” or not. So might as well do it right. I admit to a certain amount of curiosity at how they’re going to accomplish various elements of the show, such as the escalating wizardry of the “Let It Go” number, or Anna briefly turning to ice. Hell, I’m wondering how they’re going to find a way to depict Olaf and the Rock Trolls onstage that doesn’t look inherently ridiculous. I guess we’ll find out when Frozen hits Broadway in Spring 2018 (right around the time Tony ballots are sent out. Let it never be said that Disney isn’t savvy about awards season).

What do you think of the Frozen holiday special and Broadway show? Sound off in the comments!